IONA, Mich. – A woman from Ionia on the west side of the state has been handed two 35-to-60-year sentences for hitting and killing two Metro Detroiters participating in a charity bike ride.
Mandy Marie Benn will serve those sentences consecutively for the deaths of Edward Erickson and Michael Chaney.
In court on Tuesday (Dec. 12), grieving loved ones confronted Benn, who killed their loved ones during the Make-A-Wish bike ride in July 2022.
“My brother’s death has left such deep holes in our family,” said Susan Salhaney, whose brother was killed in the crash. “What started as a beautiful day in July ended in devastation.”
The crash killed Erickson, 48, of Ann Arbor, and Salhaney, 57, of Bloomfield Hills.
Family members in attendance both reminded the court of the children robbed of their dad.
“A young daughter who will not have a father to walk her down the aisle,” said Mitchelo Salhaney.
Officials said Benn was driving under the influence of drugs not prescribed to her.
“Those are the actions of someone who was high as about as someone could be,” said 8th Circuit Court Judge Ronald Schafer. “I think we could phrase it that way. It almost looks real. Falling asleep in the patrol vehicle as you’re being taken in for questioning?”
In addition to the two people who were killed, three others were hurt. One of them addressed the court on Tuesday.
“Every day I look in the mirror I am reminded by the crash,’ said the victim. “I have scars on my left arm and leg caused by the debris of your Rav 4.”
Benn gave an emotional apology before her sentencing.
“From the bottom of my heart, I am very sorry,” said Benn.
Schafer said he hoped the sentence would deter others from getting behind the wheel impaired.